lgbt, politicsComments Off on Gay marriage bill introduced in Vermont
First civil unions. Now gay marriage. Progress.
Backed by 59 legislators, Vermont state Reps. Mark Larson and David Zuckerman introduced legislation today to legalize gay marriage.
The bill will likely be opposed by Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, who previously said he would not support same-sex marrage.
“I think the current civil union law is sufficient. It accords equality of rights to Vermonters in terms of their relationships and I think we should leave the law as it is.”
Vermont was the first state to legalize civil unions in 2000. And the world didn’t end then. And it won’t end because of gay marriage either.
GayAtheist revealed a document this morning providing proof that the Church of Latter Day Saints donated $30,354.85 to ProtectMarriage.com on 11/3/2008, the day prior to the election. The Late Contribution Report was not filed until January 15, 2009.
They cannot hide behind the lies any longer. This is probably one of the main reasons why ProtectMarriage.com filed a lawsuit asking that late Prop 8 donors not be disclosed publicly, which was thrown out yesterday. It also adds even more credibility to the charges leveled by Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate and the investigation by the CFFP.
If you weren’t able to join one of the Light up Night for Marriage Equality vigils yesterday evening, please enjoy the video clip below from the event in San Francisco. After watching the video we were very sad to have missed it.
Of all things we can take away from the events of the past few months, and perhaps the most important, is that we can no longer remain invisible. It is easy to ignore, what you cannot see. And we must be seen and heard, to change minds, whether it’s in Washington, or our own neighborhoods.
The fine folks behind Proposition 8 have filed a brief today asking the California Supreme Court to nullify the estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place before the ban went into affect on November 5.
“Proposition 8’s brevity is matched by its clarity. There are no conditional clauses, exceptions, exemptions or exclusions,” reads the brief co-written by Pepperdine University law school dean Kenneth Starr, the former independent counsel who investigated President Bill Clinton.
Proposition 8’s supporters assert that the Supreme Court lacks the authority or historical precedent to throw out the amendment.
“For this court to rule otherwise would be to tear asunder a lavish body of jurisprudence,” the court papers state. “That body of decisional law commands judges — as servants of the people — to bow to the will of those whom they serve — even if the substantive result of what people have wrought in constitution-amending is deemed unenlightened.”
Attorney General Jerry Brown, will also submit a counter brief maintaining the gay marriage ban cannot be applied retroactively.
First civil unions. Now gay marriage. Progress.